Deliberations
Subject: Re: ummmmm....
"That," Sa'id says, "is an absolutely splendid idea."
OOC: If no one has any further strategic conversation, let's make camp in a side tunnel and sort out what we're going to do and when. We really need a plan here.
From: Scott
Subject: Deliberations
Mission sucks in a deep breath to stave off his impatience. Haste was not what was needed here. Cautious planning, strategem, wisdom. . .
His eyes flick over Cadfael, murmring there on the floor of the sewer. Wisdom and madness . . .
"Sa'id, can you question the dead creatures?" He gestures idly toward the tunnel where the zombies stand. "I don't know how much they would know about Anileth's purposes, or Elise, or even if they could answer us. But they don't seem hostile."
He shivers. "If we wait until morning, we loose the cover of darkness. Then, we will HAVE to depend on a strategy of distraction to lure the guards away from the temple, assuming we can gain the surface."
A rather large assumption. "Both Rennick and I have passed through the zombies. I'd wager that Garyth and Farron can as well. Sa'id, Cadfael-- I'm not sure about the two of you. But of everyone here, perhaps the both of you understand these corruptions of death best. Why would they let us pass? Would they stop you?"
Although he addresses both men, Mission is looking at Cadfael.
"Master Plate-mail seems to be a captain, or leader of some sort-- he may have information we could use. If attacking him draws out the zombies, Cadfael--" Mission swallows. "Well, Cadfael obliterated a good number of skeletons at Gully's outpost. Do you think you could do the same with these zombies? That would free Sa'id to work his magery on the four soldiers. If we close with them quickly, we may be able to subdue them before they can raise an alarm."
But he remembers how savagely the halflings fought, and the fanatiscism of Elise's man on the road. Even after his guts had been ripped open. He shakes his head. "I don't know. It won't be an easy fight, or a clean one. But we seem to have left easy and clean behind us a long time ago."
Mission says, "If we camp, we should do so now, and only for long enough for Farron and Sa'id to memorize the spells they think they will need to assault the temple."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: ummmmm....
Farron will take 15 minutes to memorize "tiny hut" to be ready to cast it when the group decides where/when we are going to camp.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Correction: *IF* the group decides to camp in the tunnel, Farron will memorize and cast tiny hut. If we are just resting in order to fill vacant slots, Farron won't waste a 3rd level slot on tiny hut.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Sa'id purses his lips, thinking. "I might be able to, but there are a few problems. The biggest of these is that commanding one of them might trigger the others to wake. When undead are set in such a fashion, both physical and magical interference are usually named as triggers. It probably isn't worth the risk, because the chance that any of them can tell us anything useful is small."
He glances at Cadfael before continuing. "My belief is that they are set to trigger on hostile acts, either against them or against the group by the ladder. If that is the case, then all of us can walk by them unmolested."
"My concern, however, is that Promise will not be born until tomorrow. Even if we get into the temple tonigh, we will have to somehow capture Anileth and keep her with us until Promise is born. That's a long time to have to survive in a place where everything wants to kill us, particularly given..." he trails off, then sighs, looking at Cadfael again. "Particularly given your single-mindedness, priest."
The necromancer shakes his head. "You're right about it being easier to get into the temple tonight, though. And if we could quiet ourselves, we might even be able to sneak in with my invisibility spell."
He sighs again. "The question is, what waits for us inside? Until we know that, we can't develop any sort of useful plan."
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Deliberations
"The Path protects me, and will protect Promise," Mission says. "Anileth withered when she touched me. Promise won't."
He grimaces. "At the very worst, if I grapple with her long enough, she'll cruble away. Leaving Promise."
He doesn't look terribly enthusiastic about the idea.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Sa'id nods. "Yes," he says, "but she also felled you with a single blow. Still, it is possible that it could be done."
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Deliberations
"Attacking in the tunnel is foolish. Even if we were to subdue all of the men and the zombies, there is no way we could do it without revealing ourselves to the men seated not fifteen feet directly above them. If they know we're in the tunnel, they will seal off the exits and we will die underground."
"If we are to sneak in, we must do it tonight. I don't know what the morning will bring - more soldiers, less? The soldiers would be more alert, and we would find it nearly impossible to sneak by in broad daylight. As it is, their vision is impaired by the firepits, so we can move about largely unnoticed. In the morning, that will not be the case."
Cadfael Chimes In
Subject: Re: Deliberations
"Through their dead eyes they see nothing but darkness. And if they dare to reach for me I will burn the darkness from their eyes, false brothers of no concern. I bear The Master's mark, a mark darker than he ever intended. I do not believe any can see the light?"
He trails off and seems to have troubled himself with his words. Though he sighs he seems to make no effort to collect himself, the pieces are too scattered. Speaking like a man weak with from a fever he plods on.
"Hours pass inside or out, we need kill nothing but time. Once inside on the third dawn a path over stone and through blood will be laid down. Best to lead to a Promise saved but rather it dead than twisted to something it was not supposed to be."
"The mother keeps the word for her God, it is the word that grants her power." Sweat is beading on Cadfael's forehead and seems to be struggling to express this thought, "her power is balled together and focused for offering, it is hers to offer but not to command. All she is is focused on holding a promise, she has nothing left. The danger lies in the darkness that holds the dagger, the mother is now no more than a container to be opened."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Deliberations
"Then," Sa'id says, "the question is whether or not we'll be able to hide anywhere inside the temple once we sneak in."
Cadfael Presents Another Option
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Cadfael stumbles a few steps down the corridor but comes quickly to a stop, turns and heads back to the party, making a beeline for Mission. His face is still troubled and he looks through Mission, talking to someone just behind him though there is nobody there.
"I am this place, I know it well but I can't find sense in it. If I am here the grand doors should be before me pointing the way to my end. They are a guidepost to a gap, like before. If only I could see them! Turn my back on Pelor's seat and walk away from him. A short walk, no more than once around the church's hall." A dreamy look crosses his face, "Counting them silently every morning, driving men mad with pacing. One, two, three steps to bring in the morning, 300 to come full circle."
He gives himself a secret smile and goes on, "There is a hole in Kor Garesh's side. A hole leading straight to his heart. What is so small a hole to this mountain God? He does not feel it; steps have not brought it to his attention. But a single footfall will give him knowledge." Cadfael's gaze flickers up and his focus has suddenly shifted to intently look into Mission's eyes.
His smile dies and he looks at Mission with sad accusation, "I have been cloaked in a shadow he cannot pierce, an ink that clung to those that walked with me, we have dined on it with every meal. But every step toward this end has pushed the gloom nearer, growing more pure at my center and lifting with every pace away from me. When Pelor is at his highest I may cross, when the shadows cast are barely more than skin deep. When in his temple those uncovered and seen will be struck down by the gathering darkness. A Darkness that may already know we are here, Brother. You and the half man have strayed."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Before Cadfael has even finished, Sa'id is swearing in his native tongue, the curses flowing forth like a raging torrent through a burst dam. He sits down heavily against the wall, shaking his head.
"I didn't even..." he sighs. "I'm a fool. We'll simply have to wait until noon, then. No other options."
From: Raja
Subject: For reference
For reference, here's everyone's name, Hatrack alias, and character name.
Jeff - Rakeesh - Kuri
Jake - Noemon - Artavazdes
Ashley - sarmup - Leilanwar
Abby - Ryuko - Saskia
Amy - Shigosei - Galesh
Porter - MPH - Mordecai
From: Raja
Subject: Re: For reference
Oops, wrong list. That's what I get for sending emails to three game lists at once.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Garyth shakes his head. "If we wait until it's light out, these guards will only have that much better a chance of noticing us." He looks over at Farron. "Perhaps you could summon another beast to distract them while we try to slip by?"
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Deliberations
"We aren't going through the guarded door," Sa'id says quietly. Had Garyth even listened to the priest? Of course, after his own recently revealed folly - hadn't it been he who had pointed out that Cadfael shielded them from the sight of Kor Garesh? - Sa'id doesn't feel his usual irritation. "...and, more than likely, we will all be invisible."
"If Cadfael has spoken truly - and in this I do believe him - we have no logical choice but to enter by this other tunnel tomorrow at noon."
OOC:
That is, of course, assuming I've interpreted Dan's characteristically cryptic message correctly.
Sa'id Explains It All
Subject: Re: Deliberations
There is a long moment of silence, and then Mission chuckles softly, darkly. "I'm sorry, what? Are you saying that Cadfael is somehow making us invisible?"
"Recent experience with lizards, and halflings, and skeletons, and brigands, and zombies and whatnot seems to disagree."
Mission tosses the glowing glove back to Cadfael. "You need light more than me, Cadfael."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Deliberations
"I *could*," Farron replies. "But I won't start anything until we are all decided on a course of action. Like it or not we are stuck in this in confusions of riddles, but one this is certain. If we don't get on the same . . . path" (he glances at Mission) "we will all surely die."
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Sa'id glances at Mission. Clearly the entire party had been stupefied by lack of sleep, himself included. They would have to get some rest before facing Anileth.
"No," Sa'id says, "We'll be invisible because *I* will make us so, as I did earlier today." He pauses, "But yes, it has also become clear to me that Kor Garesh cannot see us when we are near Cadfael... which is why I feel like an imbecile for not realizing this before you and Rennik went scouting. However, even if he did detect you, the information you gained about the entrances and guards may well have been worth that risk."
"Am I the only one to have heard Cadfael's words?" He asks. "If I am interpreting him correctly - and I believe I am - there is a small tunnel somewhere in the side of the mountain that is unguarded. Kor Garesh and his minions don't know of it, and it leads directly to where we need to go. However, unless we enter the tunnel at high noon, when Pelor is strongest, Kor Garesh will detect us as soon as we set foot in the tunnel."
He looks around the party. "It seems to me, then, that our course of action has largely been decided. I do have one other suggestion, though - it is clear that we are all in desperate need of a good night's sleep, or as much of it as we can get at a time such as this. I propose that we find somewhere to make camp quickly, so that we can all have our wits about us in the morning."
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Deliberations
While a campsite is being determined, Farron will move nearest the light and study "Tiny Hut" (15 min) in order to provide a comfortable, concealment for the group's possible last night in this plane.
From: Scott
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Mission stares at Sa'id. The mage's words make sense-- he could not make heads or tails of the priest's-- and he slowly leans against the wall. "So. A magic tunnel that can only be crossed in blinding daylight."
"Do you know where this tunnel is, Cadfael?"
But he doesn't expect a lucid answer.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Deliberations
I just want to commend Dan on these last two posts. The one before this one really creeped me out, and this one is just as good, if less creepy. As much as Farron is fed up with the priest, *I'm* really enjoying his strange and frustrating character.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Indeed. Though it also makes me feel a bit guilty. Sa'id's frustration with his idiocy is my own.
From: Dan
Subject: Re: Deliberations
See, I've been wondering about this. Is it the characters that don't understand my posts or the players? I mean, it's obviously really clear to me what I'm trying to say, but I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't write some sort of "Player's Guide to Understanding Dan's Posts."
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Well, Garyth isn't all that bright a fellow. Yeah, uh, that's it. Garyth's fault. You buy that, right?
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Deliberations
That's the biggest problem I have in "the other" game. Nero is supposedly a much smarter tactician than I am. I'm finding it incredibly difficult to make him sound competent when I, myself, would have gotten the whole party killed ages ago.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Deliberations
I've found your character frustrating as hell to play against, but for me at least, that's made the story much deeper and more interesting. I'd hate to have a character like Farron (who is feeling pretty doomed right now) suddenly understand what is going on. (And I'm not sure I'd be all that good at keeping secrets from him, if you know what I mean?)
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Deliberations
For me, it's not that I don't understand Dan's messages. I'm pretty sure, cryptic though they may be, that I've gotten at least the gist of everything he's spewed out. That may be partly because I know Dan and his writing style relatively well.
What's frustrating is that for a guy with 18 Int, Sa'id has done some remarkably stupid things. Clearly, I am not as intelligent as he is. :-P
Sa'id, on the other hand, is chalking it all up to sleep depravation. ;-)
From: Matt
Subject: Re: Deliberations
In all honesty, I don't read your posts for content, Dan. I know Rennik doesn't even try to understand them, so I don't look for any sort of meaning. I did get that last time that you were talking about some sort of tunnel and high noon, but to Rennik Cadfael's voice has become like the droning of insects - totally incomprehensible and in need of severe swatting.
Mission's Decision
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Whispering in the darkness, cowering beneath a dark god's gaze. . . this was not the Path of Stone and Blood. This was the worm's way, the little maggots that crawls beneath the rock. . .
Patience, Mission reminds himself. That _was_ the way of the Path.
This was his day. Either the Path would lead him to Promise and his redemption, or he would die, and his ancestors would receive his soul. And after? Who could say?
Someone had to make a decision-- they could not stand here whispering and vacilating all night long. And Promise was his child, after all. It was his child in danger, his rejection of the Path that brought Promise to life.
His voice catches in his throat. For a moment, he falters-- and then, "I will go with Cadfael. It is madness, it is insanity. But reason has no way into the temple, that I can see."
The Path was set. And so was he. Was it fatalism, this . . . relief? For now, he knew his choice. To follow the priest into Kor Garesh's guts. To trust that Cadfael, mad, violent, disturbed Cadfael, possessed some wisdom that Mission lacked.
Trust. Hah. That was laughable. But he didn't laugh. "We should get back down the tunnel some-- back to the last intersection at least. Farron, you're sure that your magery can shield us from any patrols that may happen by?"
Listen to him. Assuming that anyone but Cadfael would want to remain the night. Mission squares his shoulders, and turns away from the light of the torches at the end of the tunnel.
Turns back into the darkness.
Mission is heading back to the intersection where Sa'id hid them using invisibility.
Farron Explains Tiny Hut
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Farron replies, "This spell will create a sphere that will shield us from sight it is transparent from within, but opaque if viewed from outside. In the darkness of the tunnel it should make us *virtually* invisible. We will be able to use full light within, and the temperature will be comfortable and dry. It will not block our sounds, so we will still have to remain quiet, but we will be able to see and hear outside the sphere and should know if anyone approaches. You may all come and go freely, but I must stay inside or the effect will be dispelled."
(ooc - Ty, correct my description if I'm wrong.)
Garyth and Sa'id Follow
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Garyth watches Mission move down the tunnel. Trusting the priest's ravings was, of course, crazy. Even if Cadfael hadn't gone mad, giving up the cover of darkness went against all of his training and instincts. Even so, Garyth finds himself rising and following the monk, feeling a strange combination of resignation and relief.
When gods struggle against each other, mere men can do little except try to get out of the way. But that option had disappeared the moment this expedition had begun. Nothing remained, really, but to accept fate, to put himself in the gods' hands and hold fast to hope. And though this would likely bring his own death, and perhaps the deaths of his companions, knowing that events were no longer truly his own to command somehow comforts Garyth.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Sa'id fully expects to die tomorrow afternoon. While he believes Cadfael's words, and even -- in a twisted way -- trusts the priest, he does NOT trust the god, Pelor, to keep to his own word and use his power to grant them safe passage. Pelor, the god of the sun, was supposed to be a just, loving god. What kind of love could inspire anyone to break a man in the way Cadfael was broken?
Only a sick, twisted, utterly mortal kind of love, Sa'id thinks bitterly. Perhaps the conclusion to be drawn from their imminent deaths was that the gods, if they existed at all, were not truly divine. Perhaps they were merely creatures -- wizards, even -- who attained power so great that they could now subject the world of mortals to their fickle desires.
The necromancer refrains from outright cursing Pelor, though. Fickle and depraved though the god may be, they would need his help in the morning. Sa'id sighs, and follows Mission and Garyth.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Deliberations
As I mentioned on sakeriver, I am just waiting for a general chorus of 'we do this' before I write the next turn.
From: Karl
Subject: Re: Deliberations
Farron is studying Tiny Hut with the intention of casting it in the side tunnel to give everyone the most comfortable last nights sleep possible.
A Quick Recap
Subject: Hooo wee
Man, it's been a long time since I've checked this mailbox. Just to clear things up for me. We've got Mission, Sa'id and Garyth heading back the way we came down the tunnel and Farron sitting here studying? Or is his studying going to take place once we settle down to rest and so he's leaving with those three?
And, of course, Cadfael and Rennik have yet to do anything.
A Very Quick and Boring Update
Subject: Re: Hooo wee
If Farron is studying his 'opaque hut of Banjo-doo' Mission will wait for him to finish before going back down the tunnel.
From: Mike
Subject: Re: Hooo wee
Ditto.
From: Raja
Subject: Re: Hooo wee
Me too.
From: Ty
Subject: Re: Hooo wee
We are really just waiting on Matt at this point. Hopefully when the end of the school year stuff is over, he'll be back in action. :)
Matt's Long Absence
Subject: Matt's long absence
There is light at the end of the tunnel! I promise! Just not right now, I'm afraid. It's been a long tunnel. (My apologies for those of you who got this email twice.)
I just returned last Saturday at midnight from a three day overnight trip with 80 thirteen year olds, and this week has so far consisted of an awards ceremony last night (I was nominated, which rocks, even though I didn't win), and a National Honor Society induction for my students tonight. This is on top of early mornings and late afternoons of extra help preparing for next week's final exam.
Many apologies for holding things up, but it's unavoidable. Any posting I could do right now would be very spotty and without much thought or preparation. Next week I have a final exam to grade for 65 students and an algebra readiness assessment to grade for the same number. Lots of grading, even more outside-of-school-hours help, and then finally the end of the year...
...when I can finally write this damn freelance crap assignment that's been sucking my will to live. :(
BUT, the light comes on the 21st, it seems. That monday and tuesday are half days, and I should be done with most stuff... at least enough to sit down at my computer, catch up on all the emails, and send out turns.
I'm really sorry for the hold up, but June for teachers is like early April for accountants and December for North Pole elves.
I'm not dead, though, and I shall return eventually. I just hope you all don't rise up en masse and burn my house down in the meantime.
~Matt